Bryan Hitchcock Joins the Institute of Food Technologists

CHICAGO – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced that Bryan Hitchcock has joined the association as the Senior Director of Food Chain and Executive Director of the Global Food Traceability Center.

In the newly created role, Hitchcock will oversee IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center, including technology, strategy and governance, business development, as well as government, public, and industry relations. In addition, Hitchcock will serve as IFT’s principal scientific and technology leader on matters related to existing food chains and their digital transformation.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryan to the Institute of Food Technologists,” said Maria Velissariou, IFT’s chief science and technology officer. “His wealth of knowledge will be an invaluable asset to IFT and the Global Food Traceability Center, particularly as we work with the global food industry to improve food safety and mitigate risk, increase transparency from ’seed to spoon,’ avert devastating health consequences, and prevent economic loss to the food system.”

Hitchcock brings extensive product and process development expertise in the food and beverage industry. This includes experience with emerging and mature brands across the supply chain spanning new product and technology innovation, ingredients, food processing, quality and food safety, and manufacturing.

“I’m excited to join IFT and help advance critical efforts around traceability,” said Bryan Hitchcock. “Consumers and industry, alike, want to better understand the provenance of our food and invest in the food supply chain. IFT has a unique opportunity to shape how the global food industry understands and implements traceability activities.”

Hitchcock spent the majority of his career at PepsiCo in roles including Principal Engineer R&D, Director, R&D (Global Beverages Discover & Applications), and most recently as the Senior Director, North America Nutrition R&D (Fruits & Vegetables). Prior to PepsiCo he was a product developer with Procter and Gamble. Hitchcock possesses a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.

About IFTThe Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of 17,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world’s greatest food challenges. Our organization works to ensure that our members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. We believe that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.